Device and method for fixating a suture anchor with a suture or a headed anchor in hard tissue

ABSTRACT

A device and method for fixating soft tissue to hard tissue with the aid of a suture anchor and a suture or with the aid of a headed anchor, wherein the anchor is forced into the hard tissue and then anchored therein by in situ liquefaction of a material having thermoplastic properties. The device includes a vibration tool and the anchor and possibly a support element, wherein the anchor includes an anchor foot and a thermoplastic sleeve. The thermoplastic sleeve includes the material having thermoplastic properties. The anchor foot has a distal end suitable for being forced into hard tissue and it is connected to the distal end of the vibration tool and the thermoplastic sleeve sits on a proximal face of the anchor foot, the vibration tool and/or a proximal portion of the anchor foot extending into or through the thermoplastic sleeve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention is in the field of medical technology and concerns adevice and a method for fixating a suture anchor with a suture or aheaded anchor in hard tissue, in particular for attaching, with the aidof the suture or the headed anchor, soft tissue to the hard tissue,wherein the hard tissue is in particular bone tissue of a human oranimal patient, but may also be e.g. augmented bone tissue or a bonesubstitute.

Description of Related Art

The publication WO 2009/109057 (Woodwelding) discloses devices andmethods for attaching a suture to hard tissue with the aid of a sutureanchor, wherein the suture anchor comprises a material havingthermoplastic properties and is anchored in a hard tissue opening withthe aid of vibratory energy used for in situ liquefaction of thematerial having thermoplastic properties. The liquefied materialpenetrates into pores or other suitable structures of the hard tissue inthe hard tissue opening, where on re-solidification it constitutes apositive fit connection between the hard tissue and the suture anchor.The devices as disclosed in the named publication comprise a vibrationsource in a housing, a vibration tool, a guide tube, the anchor, thesuture and possibly a pushing bush. The proximal end of the vibrationtool is coupled to the vibration source, the proximal end of the guidetube is supported on the housing, the anchor is arranged at the distalend of the vibration tool. The anchor comprises the material havingthermoplastic properties in the form of a thermoplastic sleeve, theanchor or the vibration tool reaching through the sleeve and the sleevebeing clamped between a foot piece of the anchor and the vibration tool,the guide tube or the pushing bush. A suture loop is held in the footpiece of the anchor, two suture end sections extending through furtherparts of the anchor and through portions of the vibrating tool and theguide tube from where they exit to possibly be kept straightened ortensioned by being attached to the guide tube or the housing or a suturemanagement system.

For implantation, an opening is provided in the hard tissue and thedistal end of the device or the suture anchor respectively is introducedinto the opening, such that at least part of the thermoplastic sleeve islocated in the opening, wherein a cross section of the opening isslightly larger than the cross section of the thermoplastic sleeve suchthat the material having thermoplastic properties is located near thehard tissue of the wall of the opening, but such that, on introducingthe anchor into the opening, there is no friction between the sleeve andthe wall of the opening. The vibration source is then activated and thematerial having thermoplastic properties of the thermoplastic sleevebeing clamped between a vibrating element (vibration tool or anchor footbeing coupled to the vibration tool) and a counter element (anchor footnot being coupled to the vibration tool, guide tube or pushing bush) isliquefied starting from its proximal and/or distal face and flows intothe hard tissue, whereby the thermoplastic sleeve gets shorter. Formaintaining the clamping force on the thermoplastic sleeve while thelatter is getting shorter, device elements are moved relative to eachother in an axial direction which is preferably effected by apre-tensioned spring arranged together with at least the thermoplasticsleeve and the elements between which the thermoplastic sleeve isclamped in a closed load frame. This measure allows automatic anchoringof the suture anchor, the surgeon only having to position the devicewith the distal end of the guide tube on the surface of the hard tissueand to activate the vibration source. However, special measures areneeded for allowing checking and tuning of the device before theanchoring process, without liquefaction of the material of thethermoplastic sleeve.

The publication US 2009/131947 (Woodwelding) also discloses a method forattaching a suture to hard tissue with the aid of a suture anchorcomprising a thermoplastic material which is liquefied in situ with theaid of vibratory energy. The disclosed method is based on the sameprinciple as the method which is briefly described above, wherein thesuture is threaded through a distal end portion of the anchor, wherein aproximal end portion of the anchor comprises the thermoplastic material,and wherein a proximal face of the anchor is held against a distal faceof a vibrating tool by pulling suture end portions in a proximaldirection.

Further methods and devices for attaching sutures to hard tissue withthe aid of suture anchors are disclosed in the publications U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,678,134, 7,695,495, US-2006/161159, US-2009/192546,US-2009/187216 (all to Arthrex), U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,307 (Dinsdale), orU.S. Pat. No. 6,508,830 (Steiner), wherein the disclosed anchorscomprise an interference screw to be screwed into a bone openingprovided for the purpose or a plug preferably made of bone material andto be press-fitted into a bone opening provided for the purpose, whereinthe suture is either held by the screw or plug or by an additionalelement being retained in the opening with the aid of the screw or plug.

Methods of anchoring an item in an opening provided in hard tissue, e.g.in bone tissue of a human or animal patient with the aid of a materialhaving thermoplastic properties which is liquefied in situ and made topenetrate the hard tissue of the wall of the opening are disclosed inthe publications U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,335,205, 7,008,226, US-2006/0105295,US-2008/109080, US-2009/131947, WO-2009/109057, and WO-2009/132472. Thedisclosure of all the named publications and applications is enclosedherein by reference.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, it is the object of the invention to create afurther method and a further device for fixating a suture anchor with asuture or a headed anchor in hard tissue of a human or animal patient,wherein the suture fixated to the hard tissue with the aid of the sutureanchor, or the headed anchor are to be, in particular, suitable forattaching soft tissue to the hard tissue, wherein the hard tissue is inparticular bone tissue, but may also be e.g. augmented bone tissue or abone substitute, and wherein one of the method steps comprises in situliquefaction of a material having thermoplastic properties and bringingthe liquefied material into contact with the hard tissue. The sutureanchor or the headed anchor is fixated in a hard tissue opening bypenetration of the liquefied material into hard tissue walls of theopening (trabecular structure of the tissue or preferably undercutcavities specially provided for the anchorage) or it is fixated beyond ahard tissue opening by the liquefied material expanding beyond theopening, i.e. on a non-accessible side of a hard tissue layer, possiblycombined with penetrating the hard tissue surface on this non-accessibleside of a hard tissue layer. On re-solidification the material whichpenetrated into the hard tissue constitutes a positive fit connectionbetween this hard tissue and the anchor; on re-solidification thematerial expanded beyond the hard tissue opening constitutes a bodywhich cannot pass the opening. The improvement achieved by the inventionas compared with state of the art methods and devices serving the samepurpose concern in particular the simplicity of method and device and/orthe strength of the fixation in the hard tissue of the suture or thesuture anchor or of the headed anchor.

It is the object of the invention to create a further device and afurther method for fixating a suture anchor or a headed anchor in orbeyond a hard tissue opening, wherein the anchor is anchored in theopening with the aid of a material having thermoplastic properties whichis liquefied in situ and brought into contact with the hard tissue, inparticular made to penetrate the hard tissue of the wall of the hardtissue opening, and wherein it is to be possible to effect the step ofproviding the hard tissue opening or part thereof and the step ofanchoring the anchor with the aid of the same instruments and withoutmoving the instruments away from the fixation site between the twosteps. Device and method according to the invention are to be suitable,in particular, for minimally invasive surgery, but are to be applicablein open surgery also.

According to the invention, the suture anchor or the headed anchorcomprises a distal end equipped for being forced into hard tissuesubstantially without providing an opening therein. The anchor is forcedinto the hard tissue in an initial forcing step and is then fixated inor beyond the opening with the aid of a material having thermoplasticproperties and being liquefied in situ to be brought into contact withthe hard tissue, in particular to penetrate the hard tissue of the wallof the opening (anchoring step). Therein a vibration tool used in theanchoring procedure, i.e. for the in situ liquefaction of the materialhaving thermoplastic properties is also used for the forcing of theanchor into the hard tissue, wherein such forcing is preferably enhancedby vibration.

The anchor comprises an anchor foot and a thermoplastic sleeve sittingon the anchor foot and comprising the material having thermoplasticproperties. The vibration tool and/or the anchor foot extends throughthe thermoplastic sleeve, the distal end of the vibration tool beingattached to the anchor foot. The vibration tool and its connection tothe anchor foot are designed for being able to transmit to the anchorfoot the forces necessary for the forcing step (pushing force) and forthe anchoring step (pulling force) and vibration, preferably for bothsteps. The tool is therefore attached to the anchor foot in a waysuitable for transmission of compressive and tensile forces and ofmechanical vibration and in a way to be easily separated from the anchorfoot after completion of the two-step process (forcing step andanchoring step).

For the forcing step and for the anchoring step, the vibration tool iscoupled to a vibration source, in particular to a source of ultrasonicvibration (e.g. piezoelectric vibration generator, possibly comprising abooster to which the tool is coupled) and the assembly of tool andanchor foot (or anchor) is suitable for transmission of the vibrationfrom the proximal tool end to the anchor foot or anchor, preferably suchthat a proximal anchor face vibrates with a maximal longitudinalamplitude. The material to be liquefied in the anchoring step isarranged in the vicinity of this vibrating anchor face. It is possiblealso to activate the tool to vibrate in a radial or in a rotationaldirection.

Suitable in situ liquefaction of a material having thermoplasticproperties with the aid of vibration energy combined with an acceptablethermal loading of the tissue and suitable mechanical properties of thepositive fit connection to be produced is achievable by using materialswith thermoplastic properties having an initial modulus of elasticity ofat least 0.5 GPa and a melting temperature of up to about 350° C. incombination with vibration frequencies preferably in the range ofbetween 2 and 200 kHz (preferably 15 to 40 kHz, or even more preferablybetween 20 and 30 kHz or for liquefaction in direct contact with thevibrating tool between 25 and 35 kHz). The modulus of elasticity of atleast 0.5 GPa is in particular necessary if the material havingthermoplastic properties is to transmit the vibration without loss ofmechanical stiffness. If the material having thermoplastic properties isnot to transmit the vibration, but is to be liquefied where it is indirect contact with the vibrating tool or if the material havingthermoplastic properties is to transmit the vibration but is supportedand guided by device parts of other materials, the material havingthermoplastic properties may have a somewhat smaller modulus ofelasticity.

For the anchoring step, it is preferable to work with a substantiallyconstant output of vibrational power, i.e. with vibration (basevibration) of substantially constant frequency and amplitude, whereinthe frequency is in the above named frequency range and is a resonantfrequency of the vibrating system, and wherein the amplitude is in therange of 10 to 50 μm, preferably 20-40 μm. For the forcing step, inparticular in cases in which the hard tissue constitutes a relativelyhigh resistance, vibrational modes as known from e.g. vibration assistedbone cutting are preferable. Such vibration modes usually comprisepulses of higher amplitude and possibly sharper profiles (e.g.rectangular profile or Dirac impulse) and are e.g. provided bymodulating the amplitude of the base vibration to e.g. form pulses ofhigher amplitude and preferably by also sharpening the input wave formas compared with the base vibration and by matching the system'sresonance frequency. The so created pulses can comprise one or severalwave cycles of the base vibration each, and can be periodic with amodulation frequency preferably in the range of 0.5-5 kHz or they can begenerated stochastically (in amplitude and modulation frequency) but inany case in phase with the system's resonance frequency. A means forproducing stochastically occurring pulses is e.g. described in thepublication U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,420 (St. Imier). Therein the higheramplitude of the pulses is preferably greater than the base vibrationamplitude by a factor of between 2 and 10.

Alternatively, such pulses can be achieved by overlaying the basevibration or replacing it with a pulse excitation generated by amechanical impulse generator (e.g. comprising a rotationally drivenunbalanced mass or hammer). Therein the higher amplitude of the pulsesis preferably again greater than the base vibration amplitude by afactor of between 2 and 10 and the pulse frequency which may be regularin the region of 20 to 200 Hz and in particular lower than the lowestresonance frequency of the vibrating system (e.g. undesired flexuralvibration of the sonotrode). The low pulse frequencies are particularlyimportant if material liquefaction during the forcing step is possible,but is to be prevented as best as possible.

If as described above two different vibration modes are to be used inthe forcing and in the anchoring step, the vibration source to which thevibration tool is coupled during the two steps is to be equipped forselectively producing the two vibration modes and with switching meansfor switching the vibration source from one vibration mode into theother one.

Materials having thermoplastic properties suitable for the thermoplasticsleeve of the device and the method according to the invention arethermoplastic polymers, e.g.: resorbable or degradable polymers such aspolymers based on lactic and/or glycolic acid (PLA, PLLA, PGA, PLGAetc.) or polyhydroxy alkanoates (PHA), polycaprolactone (PCL),polysaccharides, polydioxanes (PD) polyanhydrides, polypeptides orcorresponding copolymers or composite materials containing the namedpolymers as a component; or non-resorbable or non-degradable polymerssuch as polyolefines (e.g. polyethylene), polyacrylates,polymethacrylates, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyester, polyurethanes,polysulfones, polyarylketones, polyimides, polyphenylsulfides or liquidcrystal polymers LCPs, polyacetales, halogenated polymers, in particularhalogenated polyolefines, polyphenylensulfides, polysulfones, polyethersor equivalent copolymers or composite materials containing the namedpolymers as a component.

Specific embodiments of degradable materials are Polylactides like LR706PLDLLA 70/30, R208 PLDLA 50/50, L210S, and PLLA 100% L, all ofBöhringer. A list of suitable degradable polymer materials can also befound in: Erich Wintermantel und Suk-Woo Haa, “Medizinaltechnik mitbiokompatiblen Materialien und Verfahren”, 3. Auflage, Springer, Berlin2002 (in the following referred to as “Wintermantel”), page 200; forinformation on PGA and PLA see pages 202 ff., on PCL see page 207, onPHB/PHV copolymers page 206; on polydioxanone PDS page 209. Discussionof a further bioresorbable material can for example be found in C ABailey et al., J Hand Surg [Br] 2006 April; 31(2):208-12.

Specific embodiments of non-degradable materials are Polyetherketone(PEEK Optima, Grades 450 and 150, Invibio Ltd), Polyetherimide,Polyamide 12, Polyamide 11, Polyamide 6, Polyamide 66, Polycarbonate,Polymethylmethacrylate, Polyoxymethylene, or polycarbonate-urethane(e.g. Bionate by DSM, in particular types 65D and 75D). An overviewtable of polymers and applications is listed in Wintermantel, page 150;specific examples can be found in Wintermantel page 161 ff. (PE,Hostalen Gur 812, Höchst AG), pages 164 ff. (PET) 169ff. (PA, namely PA6 and PA 66), 171 ff. (PTFE), 173 ff. (PMMA), 180 (PUR, see table), 186ff. (PEEK), 189 ff. (PSU), 191 ff (POM—Polyacetal, tradenames Delrin,Tenac, has also been used in endoprostheses by Protec).

The material having thermoplastic properties may further contain foreignphases or compounds serving further functions. In particular, thethermoplastic material may be strengthened by admixed fibers or whiskers(e.g. of calcium phosphate ceramics or glasses) and such represent acomposite material. The material having thermoplastic properties mayfurther contain components which expand or dissolve (create pores) insitu (e.g. polyesters, polysaccharides, hydrogels, sodium phosphates),compounds which render the implant opaque and therewith visible forX-ray, or compounds to be released in situ and having a therapeuticeffect, e.g. promotion of healing and regeneration (e.g. growth factors,antibiotics, inflammation inhibitors or buffers such as sodium phosphateor calcium carbonate against adverse effects of acidic decomposition).If the thermoplastic material is resorbable, release of such compoundsis delayed.

Fillers used may include degradable, osseostimulative fillers to be usedin degradable polymers, including: β-Tricalcium phosphate (TCP),Hydroxyapatite (HA, <90% crystallinity); or mixtures of TCP, HA, DHCP,Bioglasses (see Wintermantel). Osseo-integration stimulating fillersthat are only partially or hardly degradable, for non degradablepolymers include: Bioglasses, Hydroxyapatite (>90% crystallinity),HAPEX®, see S M Rea et al., J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2004 September;15(9):997-1005; for hydroxyapatite see also L. Fang et al., Biomaterials2006 July; 27(20):3701-7, M. Huang et al., J Mater Sci Mater Med 2003July; 14(7):655-60, and W. Bonfield and E. Tanner, Materials World 1997January; 5 no. 1:18-20. Embodiments of bioactive fillers and theirdiscussion can for example be found in X. Huang and X. Miao, J BiomaterApp. 2007 April; 21(4):351-74), J A Juhasz et al. Biomaterials, 2004March; 25(6):949-55. Particulate filler types include: coarse type: 5-20μm (contents, preferentially 10-25% by volume), sub-micron (nanofillersas from precipitation, preferentially plate like aspect ratio >10, 10-50nm, contents 0.5 to 5% by volume). Experiments show that liquefactionwith the aid of ultrasonic vibration energy allows filling of thethermoplastic polymer to a relatively high degree without impairing thecapability of the liquefied material to penetrate structures as e.g. thetrabecular structure of viable cancellous bone.

Anchor portions other than the thermoplastic sleeve may consist of anysuitable material (e.g. polymer, metal, ceramic, glass) which materialmay be bio-resorbable or not bio-resorbable and liquefiable or notliquefiable. Non-bioresorbable or non-biodegradable such materials maycomprise surfaces equipped for furthering osseointegration (e.g. per seknown surface structures or coatings) where in contact with the bonetissue, in particular if the material of the thermoplastic sleeve isbio-resorbable or bio-degradable and therefore the anchoring functionneeds to be gradually taken over by osseointegration. Good results havee.g. been achieved with anchor feet of polylactic acid (PLA) filled withHydroxyapatite or calciumphosphates, in particular of PLLA filled with60% tricalciumphosphate or PDLLA 70%/30% (70% L and 30% D/L) filled with30% biphasic calciumphosphate, combined with thermoplastic sleeves ofPLDLLA 70%/30% (70% L and 30% D/L), as available from Böhringer asLR706. The PDLLA 70%/30% filled with 30% of biphasic calcium phosphateand similar materials prove to be suitable also for the thermoplasticsleeve and therefore suitable for manufacturing bio-resorbable,one-piece anchors being made of one material only.

The distal end of the anchor foot or the anchor, which distal end is tobe equipped for being forced into the hard tissue, needs to comprise amaterial having a corresponding mechanical strength which is dependenton the mechanical resistance expected of the hard tissue into which theanchor is to be forced. If such resistance is relatively high (forcingthrough cortical bone or hard and dense cancellous bone) the distal endof the anchor comprises e.g. a metal such as e.g. titanium or a titaniumalloy, a ceramic material such as e.g. sintered calcium phosphate (e.g.hydroxyapatite) or engineering ceramics (e.g. zirkonia, alumina) or PEEKor a comparable high temperature resistant polymer, while other anchorportions are made e.g. of a biocomposite material such as e.g. the abovementioned filled polylactides or of one of the other above mentionedthermoplastic polymers. Alternatively such distal end of the anchor maycomprise a hard and possibly abrasive coating e.g. made by plasmasprayed deposition of calcium phosphate or titanium powder on PEEK orpolylactide or biocomposites. If the named resistance is smaller(forcing into cancellous bone), the distal end of the anchor foot mayconsist of a lesser material and may even consist of the same materialhaving thermoplastic properties as the thermoplastic sleeve. In thelatter case this material may even be partly liquefied during theforcing step at surfaces of the distal anchor end. Such liquefaction canbe kept within acceptable limits if (a) vibration used for enhancing theforcing is of a relatively low frequency (<10 Khz), which even at highamplitudes can only cause very slow liquefaction, and if (b) theanchoring step is carried out immediately after the forcing step, i.e.before possibly liquefied material at the distal anchor end can lock theanchor foot relative to the hard tissue. If the mechanical strength ofthe hard tissue into which the anchor is to be forced is poor, thecondition (b) is of little importance.

As the tools used for the fixation process can be designed very slim and200 mm long or even longer, device and method according to the inventionare in particular suitable for minimally invasive surgery but are alsoapplicable in open surgery. The assembly of vibration tool and anchorfoot or anchor preferably has a length between the proximal end and theproximal anchor face corresponding to a multiple of half of thevibration wavelength in the tool material (for a tool and an anchor footmade of titanium and a vibration frequency of 20 kHz, this length ispreferably n times 126 mm, n being an integer).

For easy manufacturing not only the suture anchor or headed anchor, butalso the axial channel through the thermoplastic sleeve and the distalend of the vibration tool will have a circular cross section. Howeverthis is not a condition for the invention, according to which any one ofthe named items may have a non-circular cross section, wherein the crosssection of the anchor foot is preferably the same as the cross sectionof the thermoplastic sleeve or slightly larger than the latter.

Device and method according to the invention are applicable for allsurgical procedures in a human or animal patient, in which surgicalprocedures a suture needs to be attached to hard tissue, in particularto bone tissue, wherein the fixation of the anchor is preferablyachieved underneath the cortical bone layer (so called sub-corticalfixation in cancellous bone situated underneath the cortical bone layer,or on the inner side of the cortical bone layer, or in a cavity or softtissue adjoining the cortical bone layer on its inner side). In the samemanner, the device and the method according to the invention areapplicable for attaching a suture to a replacement material (bonesubstitute material) having features comparable to the features of hardtissue, or to part hard tissue part replacement material or possiblyeven to a further implant (e.g. endoprosthesis).

Examples of such applications are:

-   -   regarding foot and ankle: lateral stabilization, medial        stabilization, achilles tendon repair or reconstruction, hallux        valgus repair or reconstruction or treatment, midfoot repair or        reconstruction, metatarsal ligament repair or reconstruction,        digital tendon transfers, peroneal retinaculum repair or        reconstruction;    -   regarding the knee: medial collateral ligament repair or        reconstruction, lateral collateral ligament repair or        reconstruction, patellar tendon repair or reconstruction,        posterior oblique ligament repair or reconstruction, iliotibial        band tenodesis;    -   regarding hand and wrist: scapholunate ligament repair or        reconstruction, carpal ligament repair or reconstruction, repair        or reconstruction of collateral ligaments, ulnar collateral        ligament repair or reconstruction, radial collateral ligament        repair or reconstruction, repair or reconstruction of flexor and        extensor tendons at the PIP, DIP and MCP joints for all digits,        digital tendon transfers, capsular reattachment of the        metacarpophalangeal joint;    -   regarding the elbow: biceps tendon reattachment, ulnar or radial        collateral ligament repair or reconstruction;    -   regarding the hip: capsular repair or reconstruction, acetabular        labral repair or reconstruction;    -   regarding the shoulder: rotator cuff repair or reconstruction,        bankart repair or reconstruction, SLAP lesion repair or        reconstruction, biceps tenodesis, acromio-clavicular separation        repair or reconstruction, deltoid repair or reconstruction,        capsular shift or capsulolabral repair or reconstruction;    -   regarding the pelvis: bladder neck suspension for female urinary        incontinence due to urethral hypermobility or intrinsic        sphincter deficiency;    -   regarding veterinary surgery: reconstruction of the cranial        cruciate ligament (ccl in dogs), capsular repair in the shoulder        and hip, general fixation of ligaments and tendons to bone,        especially in shoulder, hip, knee, elbow and paws.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in further detail in connection with theappended Figs., wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the anchor fixationaccording to the invention, wherein the fixation is a sub-corticalfixation for which the thermoplastic sleeve is liquefied preferablystarting from its proximal end;

FIG. 2 illustrates the method according to FIG. 1 but not applied forproviding a sub-cortical fixation;

FIGS. 3 to 6 show further exemplary embodiments of anchors and devicessuitable for the fixation methods as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the methodaccording to the invention, wherein the anchor is a headed anchor forfixating e.g. soft tissue and wherein the thermoplastic sleeve isliquefied preferably starting at its distal end;

FIG. 8 shows a preferred detail of the anchor illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the methodaccording to the invention, wherein the anchor foot is stationaryrelative to the bone tissue during the anchoring step;

FIG. 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an anchor applicable inthe method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The appended FIGS. 1 to 10 illustrate fixation of a suture anchor or aheaded anchor in hard tissue (preferably bone tissue) according to theinvention, i.e. in a forcing step and an anchoring step, as well asanchors and devices suitable for such fixation. In the anchoring stepthe anchor is anchored in the hard tissue by in situ liquefaction of amaterial having thermoplastic properties with the aid of vibrationalenergy and by making the liquefied material to penetrate into the hardtissue (trabecular tissue structure or specially provided, preferablyundercut cavities) or into a cavity on a non-accessible side of the hardtissue. In the forcing step, which is preceding the anchoring step, theanchor is forced into the hard tissue thereby providing an opening inthe hard tissue (or at least part thereof) in which or beyond which theanchor is to be anchored, wherein for such forcing substantially thesame tools are used as in the anchoring step. Therein the anchor isforced into the hard tissue preferably assisted by vibration energyprovided through the same vibration tool as used for the anchoring step.The principle of the anchoring step as used in the method according theinvention and as illustrated in the figures is described for differentapplications in the publication US-2009/131947.

For being able to be forced into the hard tissue, the anchor or ananchor foot being part of the anchor respectively is made of a materialhaving a suitable mechanical stability, e.g. of a metal such as titaniumor a titanium alloy, and its distal face has a suitable shape, it ise.g. tapering, pointed or otherwise sharp. For being able to be forcedthrough a cortical bone layer, the anchor foot is e.g. shaped like abone awl. The distal face of the anchor foot may also be equipped as apunching tool (see FIG. 10) for vibration assisted punching as disclosedin the publication WO 2008/131884 (Stryker Trauma GmbH). Less effectiveanchor feet may be able to be forced into cancellous bone only, whichmeans that a bone in which the anchor is to be fixated is to bedecorticated or an opening is to be provided through the cortical bonelayer before positioning the anchor and forcing it into the bone. It ispossible also to provide a pilot bore in the bone tissue for safepositioning of the anchor, wherein the pilot bore is then enlargedregarding cross section and/or depth by the anchor being forced into thepilot bore. It is possible also to first position a K-wire and thenforce the anchor into the hard tissue using the K-wire as guide. Forthis purpose, the anchor and at least a distal end of the vibration toolneeds an axial channel for accommodation of the K-wire.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention with fourconsecutive phases (a) to (d) of a first exemplary embodiment of themethod according to the invention. Therein the suture anchor 2 is to befixated in cancellous bone tissue 8 being situated underneath a corticalbone layer 7, wherein e.g. a blind opening 5.1 reaching through thecortical bone layer 8 only is provided beforehand. Of course a similarfixation can be achieved also if no cortical layer is present, whereinthe fixation location will have a predefined depth and is situated e.g.underneath a denser layer of cancellous bone in cancellous bone of alesser density. The suture anchor 2 is arranged on the distal end of avibration tool 1, and it comprises an anchor foot 22 (distal anchorpart) and a thermoplastic sleeve 23 (proximal anchor part), wherein thethermoplastic sleeve 23 comprises the material to be liquefied (materialhaving thermoplastic properties) or is preferably made thereof, andwherein a loop of the suture 4 is held in a system 25 of passages and/orgrooves (e.g. constituted, as illustrated, by a simple eyelet 85)provided in the anchor foot 22. For simplicity reasons, the suture 4 isshown only in the last phase (d) of FIG. 1.

If the anchor shown in FIG. 1 is to be used in connection with a K-wire,the vibration tool 1 and the anchor foot 22 comprise an axial channelfor accommodation of the K-wire, wherein this channel extends e.g. alongthe axis of the anchor foot and the eyelet 85 has an eccentric position.

If after fixation of the suture anchor 2, the suture 4 is still to beslideable relative to the anchor, the suture end portions extendpreferably through the thermoplastic sleeve 23 or through the vibrationtool 1, which for such purpose may comprise an axial channel at leastthrough its distal end portion. If the suture 4 is to be locked relativeto the anchor together with the anchor being fixated, the suture endportions extend preferably on the outside of the thermoplastic sleeve23, wherein, for preventing damage of the suture during the process offorcing the anchor foot 22 into the hard tissue, axial suture grooves(not shown) may be provided on the thermoplastic sleeve (see also FIG.4). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vibration tool 1 may reach through thewhole length of the thermoplastic sleeve 23. Alternatively, the anchorfoot 22 may reach into or through the thermoplastic sleeve 23 andpossibly comprise the means for holding the suture (e.g. an eyelet) insuch proximal region.

Phase (a) of FIG. 1 shows the suture anchor 2 mounted on the distal endof tool 1, the anchor foot 22 being connected to the distal tool end andthe thermoplastic sleeve 23 sitting against the proximal face of theanchor foot 22 (or being attached thereto, see FIG. 4) and surroundingthe distal tool end (or a proximal anchor foot part) loosely. Theconnection between the anchor foot 22 and the distal tool end is suchthat it can transmit a force directed into the hard tissue (pushingforce or compressive force) as well as a force directed away from thehard tissue (pulling force or tensile force) to the anchor foot 22, suchthat vibration is transmitted from the tool to the anchor foot, and suchthat the tool 1 can be easily disconnected from the anchor foot 22 aftercompletion of the fixation process. Suitable connections are e.g. abayonet coupling, cooperating inner and outer threads or possibly apredetermined breaking point suitable for being broken by rotation ofthe tool relative to the anchor. Such connections without axial play areable to fully transmit the vibration. Such connections with axial play,in particular bayonet connections with axial play, are possible also butwill transmit only half of the vibration wave (hammering effect in theforcing step). If the connection is designed for being able to transmita rotational force from the tool 1 into the anchor foot 22, the forcingprocess may be enhanced not only by vibration but also by rotation ofthe anchor foot 22.

In addition to the anchor 2 (anchor foot 22 and thermoplastic sleeve 23)and the vibration tool 1, the device for carrying out the methodaccording to FIG. 1 further comprises a support element 80 with atube-shaped part 81 fitting into the opening 5.1 and allowing the distaltool end to reach through it. The cross section of the tube-shaped part81 is the same or preferably somewhat smaller than the cross section ofthe anchor foot 22 such that it is capable of being introduced with no,or hardly any force into the hard tissue opening produced by forcing theanchor foot into the hard tissue. The support element 80 preferablyfurther comprises a flange-shaped part 82 allowing the support elementto sit on the hard tissue surface with the tube-shaped part 81 extendinginto the opening 5.1. The support element may be part of a guide tool(not shown) for guiding the vibration tool and being attached to thevibration source (not shown) to which the proximal end of the vibrationtool is coupled or to a housing thereof. For a sub-cortical anchorage(or any anchorage in a predefined depth below a hard tissue surface) ofthe suture anchor 2 the tube-shaped part 81 of the support element 80has an axial length which corresponds approximately with the thicknessof the cortical bone layer 7 (or the predefined depth). For anchorage inother depths of the hard tissue, the tube-shaped part 81 may be longeror shorter or may be substantially absent (see FIG. 2). For leaving itto the surgeon to determine an optimal depth for the anchorage, thesupport element 80 may not comprise a flange-shaped part 82 or thelatter may be constituted by a ring whose axial position on thetube-shaped part 81 can be adapted by the surgeon.

Phase (b) shows the suture anchor after having been forced into thecancellous bone 8 by applying the pushing force F.1 and preferablyvibration V to the vibration tool 1, wherein the used vibration may be,as discussed further above, a vibration mode comprising amplitudemodulation or pulses. During the forcing step, liquefaction of thematerial of the thermoplastic sleeve is prevented by using such avibration mode, but can also be prevented by taking care that thethermoplastic sleeve 23 is not clamped between the support element 80and the anchor foot 22. The anchor foot 22 has reached a sufficientdepth in the cancellous bone when the flange-shaped part 82 of thesupport element 80 is able to be brought into contact with the hardtissue surface 6.

Phase (c) shows the anchor after the anchoring step which is effected byvibrating the tool 1 (vibration V, if applicable of a differentvibration mode than used in the forcing step, base vibration) andapplying the pulling force F.2 to it and by counteracting the pullingforce F.2 by holding the support element 80 (or a corresponding guidetool, the support element being a part thereof) against the hard tissuesurface (force F.3), i.e. applying a compressing force to thethermoplastic sleeve 23 or clamping it between anchor foot 22 andsupport element 80 respectively. Due to the thermoplastic sleeve 23being such clamped between the anchor foot 22 and the support element 80and due to the vibration, the material of the thermoplastic sleeve is atleast partly liquefied starting from its proximal and/or distal face,depending e.g. on energy directors being provided to act on these endfaces of the thermoplastic sleeve 23, and the liquefied materialpenetrates the hard tissue surrounding the thermoplastic sleeve 23. Withthe thermoplastic sleeve getting shorter through liquefaction anddisplacement of the sleeve material, the support element 80 remains heldagainst the hard tissue surface and the anchor foot 22 is moved in thehard tissue in a direction against the hard tissue surface, leaving voidthe bottom 5.2 of the opening 5 which was established or at leastenlarged in the forcing step.

Phase (d) shows the suture anchor 2 finally fixated, the tool 1disconnected from the anchor foot 22 and tool 1 and support element 80being removed from the fixation site.

Of course it is possible also to not remove the support element 80 aftercompletion of the anchoring step, wherein it is advantages to pair thematerials of the support element 80 or at least a distal portion of itand the thermoplastic sleeve 23 or contact surfaces thereof, such thatduring the anchoring step the support element 80 is fastened to thethermoplastic sleeve 23 by being welded or adhered thereto or by apositive fit connection between the two. The support element remainingin the fixation site may serve for safeguarding the suture 4 from beingdamaged by the edge of cortical bone or other hard tissue at the mouthof the bone opening 5.1 on tensioning the suture e.g. along the bonesurface 6.

Anchorage with the aid of the in situ liquefaction of the materialhaving thermoplastic properties is very little dependent on the qualityof the hard tissue, which in an embodiment according to FIG. 1 may evenbe completely absent (soft tissue or body cavity below the cortical bonelayer). In the latter case, the liquefied material may or may notpenetrate the inner surface of the cortical bone layer and be held inthe hard tissue opening 5.1 mainly by the fact of constituting afterre-solidification a body which cannot pass through the opening any more.This means that the fixation according to the invention is suitable notonly for a subcortical fixation in cancellous bone of a reducedmechanical stability but also in absence of cancellous bone e.g. in themedullary cavity of long bones or on a non-accessible side of or beyonda bone plate (fixation by supra-cortical button).

Exemplary applications of supra-cortical buttons as mentioned above aree.g. regarding the human shoulder: acute acromioclavicular jointstabilization; and regarding the human foot: fixation of syndesmosisdisruptions. In the named applications, the suture fixated by thesupra-cortical button may be a suture bundle which is used to directlyreplace a tendon or ligament.

As described in the cited publication WO 2009/109057, it may beadvantageous to equip the device as shown in FIG. 1 for a more automatedmethod by providing a pre-tensioned resilient element (e.g.pre-tensioned spring) arranged to connect the tool 1, the anchor 2 andthe support element 80 (or a corresponding guide tool) to form a closedload frame, the resilient element and its pre-tensioning beingdimensioned for supplying the clamping force for clamping thethermoplastic sleeve 23 between the anchor foot 22 and the supportelement 80 and to drive the relative axial movement between the anchorfoot 22 and the support element 80 when the thermoplastic sleeve 23 getsshorter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the methodaccording to the invention, wherein the device (vibration tool 1, anchorfoot 22, thermoplastic sleeve 23 and support element 80) is shown aftercompletion of the forcing and anchoring steps but before removal of thetool 1 and the support element 80. The method illustrated in FIG. 2differs from the method illustrated in FIG. 1 only in that it does notresult with the proximal face of the thermoplastic sleeve 23 positionedat a predetermined depth below the hard tissue surface (e.g.approximately at the inner surface of the cortical bone layer, but in ananchor fixation in which the proximal face of the thermoplastic sleeveis finally about flush with the bone surface 6. Such anchorage isachieved by using a support element 80 with substantially no tube-shapedpart and preferably by controlling the anchoring step such that thematerial of the thermoplastic sleeve 23 is mainly liquefied startingfrom the distal end thereof. The suture, which is not shown in FIG. 2extends preferably through the thermoplastic sleeve 23 and the supportelement 80 and is therewith safeguarded against damage through frictionon the bone of the mouth of the bone opening by the thermoplastic sleeve23.

FIGS. 3 to 6 show further exemplified embodiments of anchors or devicescomprising anchor 2, tool 1 and possibly support element 80, whichdevices are suitable for the methods as illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2,wherein the features of these anchors and devices and of the anchor anddevice shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can also be used in combinations differentfrom the shown combinations.

The device according to FIG. 3 is equipped for liquefaction of thematerial of the thermoplastic sleeve 23 starting from the proximalsleeve face as preferred in the method according to FIG. 1. This iseffected by the distal face of the support element 80 tapering to arelatively sharp inner edge 83, the sharp edge serving as energydirector and the taper enhancing the displacement of the liquefiedmaterial radially outwards and into the bone wall of the bone opening.Liquefaction at the distal face of the thermoplastic sleeve may beprevented by not providing energy directors there (contact area betweenanchor foot 22 and thermoplastic sleeve 23 as large and as even aspossible) and/or by fastening the thermoplastic sleeve 23 to the anchorfoot 22. This can be achieved e.g. as illustrated in FIG. 3 by a distalend of the thermoplastic sleeve 23 sitting in a corresponding bush ofthe anchor foot 22 and being retained therein e.g. by a force fit orfriction fit. The same effect may also be achieved by e.g. gluing,welding or screwing the two anchor parts together or by manufacturingthe anchor foot 22 and the thermoplastic sleeve 23 as one piece (seealso FIG. 4), e.g. from the same material which, in the region of thedistal anchor foot end, may be strengthened for the forcing step by asuitable filler or a metal insert.

FIG. 3 further shows the vibration tool equipped with a stop 1.1 forlimiting the depth to which the anchor foot can be forced into the bonetissue. This stop 1.1. is e.g. constituted by a step separating a distaltool portion with a cross section adapted to the axial channel of thethermoplastic sleeve 23 from a proximal tool portion with a larger crosssection not able to be introduced into the thermoplastic sleeve.Therein, for preventing undesired liquefaction of the thermoplasticsleeve 23 at the end of the forcing step, care is to be taken todimension the axial length of the distal tool portion such, that thereis enough room between the stop 1.1 and the anchor foot 22 for thethermoplastic sleeve in its original maximum length to be able to sitloosely between the anchor foot 22 and the support element 80. Inaddition to the named measure for preventing undesired liquefactionduring the forcing step or instead of it, the vibration mode for theforcing step can be chosen accordingly, as discussed further above.

As above mentioned for the device according to FIG. 2 also the anchoraccording to FIG. 3 (or any other anchor described further below) maycomprise an axial channel for accommodation of a K-wire, wherein theanchor needs to be designed such that on threading the anchor along theK-wire the wire does not interfere with the suture being threadedthrough the anchor foot or extending therefrom.

FIG. 4 shows a one-piece anchor 2 with portions constituting anchor foot22 and thermoplastic sleeve 23. A loop of the suture 4 is retained in aneyelet 85 (or other suitable system of passages and/or grooves) providedin the anchor foot portion 22. For safeguarding the suture 4 fromgetting damaged when the anchor is forced into the hard tissue and/orfrom getting damaged during the anchoring step through the vibration orthe liquefied material, axial suture grooves 86 may be provided in thethermoplastic sleeve portion 23. The anchor according to FIG. 4 may bemade of only one material e.g. of a suitably filled polylactidematerial, wherein the anchor foot portion 22 may be filled to a higherdegree than the thermoplastic sleeve portion 23. Alternatively theanchor foot portion is made of a different material suitable for theforcing step (for examples see further above) than the material havingthermoplastic properties of the thermoplastic sleeve portion. Thearrangement of the suture 4 may make it possible for the suture toremain slideable relative to the anchor during the forcing and possiblyafter the anchoring step or for locking the suture relative to theanchor during the anchoring step.

FIG. 5 shows an anchor foot 22 which, for retaining the suture 4,comprises an eyelet 85 and a pair of axial suture grooves 86 extendingfrom the eyelet to the proximal face of the anchor foot (system ofpassages and/or grooves) from where the suture 4 may extend inside thethermoplastic sleeve (not shown) or along its outer surface where suturegrooves may be provided (as shown in FIG. 4) or not. For attachment to adistal tool end, the anchor foot 22 according to FIG. 5 comprises athreaded post adapted to a corresponding inner thread provided on thedistal tool face (not shown).

FIG. 6 shows an anchor 2 equipped for retaining a suture knot 4.1 in arecess provided at an entrance to the eyelet 85, the suture 4 extendingfrom the suture knot 4.1 through the eyelet 85, in a suture groove 86 tothe proximal face of the anchor foot 22 and then along a slot 87 (orgroove) extending from the distal to the proximal face of thethermoplastic sleeve 23. Any other per se known method for retaining thesuture in the anchor foot is applicable for the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the methodaccording to the invention with four consecutive phases (a) to (d) of afixation of a headed anchor 2, wherein the headed anchor is e.g.suitable for being used for fixating a soft tissue 90 (e.g. ligament ortendon) or a corresponding prosthetic element to hard tissue (e.g.bone). The soft tissue 90 is illustrated to be fixated to bone tissuewhich e.g. does not have a cortical layer (decorticated bone tissue,i.e. substantially cancellous bone tissue 8 only) or has a corticallayer through which the headed anchor can be forced, the distal anchorend e.g. being shaped like a bone awl. The anchor 2 again comprises ananchor foot 22 equipped for the forcing step as described further abovein connection with FIGS. 1 to 6 and a thermoplastic sleeve 23, whereinthe thermoplastic sleeve 23 carries a flange-shaped proximal portionconstituting the anchor head 91 and further constituting an equivalentto the flange-shaped part of the support element according to FIG. 1 inthe anchoring step. The anchor head 91 is preferably made of the samematerial as the thermoplastic sleeve 23 but may also be made of adifferent material. The anchor head 91 may, in a per se known manner,comprise distal protrusions 92 which are pressed into the soft tissue 90during the fixation process.

The four phases (a) to (d) shown in FIG. 7 are substantially the same asthe four phases (a) to (d) shown in FIG. 1 and are therefore onlycommented below as far as they differ from the latter.

In phase (b), the anchor 2 is shown when forced into the hard tissue toa sufficient depth which is achieved when the anchor head 91 is able topress the soft tissue 90 against the bone surface 6 and the soft tissue90 is compressed such that the distal protrusions 92 of the anchor head91 are pressed into the soft tissue or even through it and possibly intothe bone surface 6. Phase (d) shows the headed anchor 2 finally anchoredin the cancellous bone tissue 8 and the soft tissue 90 therewith safelyattached to the bone tissue.

If the anchor 2 according to FIG. 7 comprises means for retaining asuture as illustrated in the previous Figs. and in FIG. 8, it can ofcourse also be used for fixating a suture relative to bone tissueinstead of for fixating a soft tissue relative to bone tissue.

In the embodiment of the method according to the invention asillustrated in FIG. 7 it is necessary, in the embodiment as illustratedin FIG. 2 it is preferred that the liquefaction process starts at thedistal end of the thermoplastic sleeve and therefore it is advantageousto equip the contact area between the distal face of the thermoplasticsleeve 23 and the proximal face of the anchor foot 22 with energydirectors. FIG. 8 shows a preferred embodiment of such energy directorswhich have the form of the proximal face of the anchor foot 22 taperinginwards to form a relatively sharp edge 83 adapted to the cross sectionof the axial channel through the thermoplastic sleeve 23, wherein therelatively sharp edge 83 constitutes the energy directors and the taperenhances displacement of the liquefied material radially outward andtherewith into the bone tissue surrounding the anchor (re-enforcement oraugmentation of the tissue which finally surrounds the anchor foot).Furthermore, FIG. 8 shows recesses, preferably undercut recesses,arranged in the tapering proximal face of the anchor foot 22, which,during the anchoring step, will be filled with the liquefied material toconnect the anchor foot 22 to the thermoplastic sleeve 23 in apositive-fit connection in the finally fixated anchor. As is furtherillustrated in FIG. 9, phase (c), which shows a similar anchor in ananchored configuration, the named design of the proximal anchor footface further helps to stabilize the anchor foot against loads which actat an angle to the anchor axis and which, especially in hard tissue oflittle mechanical resistance, may otherwise be able to tilt or laterallydislocate the anchor foot.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the methodaccording to the invention, wherein the anchor may be of a similar kindas the anchor according to FIG. 8 (suture only shown in phase (c)) andmay comprise a head or none, or may be a headed anchor. As describedfurther above, the anchor foot is forced into the bone tissue in theforcing step and remains in the same position during the anchoring step,the material of the thermoplastic sleeve preferably being liquefiedstarting from the distal end of the thermoplastic sleeve and, dependingon the anchor design, the support element 80 or the anchor head 91 beingmoved towards the stationary anchor foot 22 and the force F.3 used forsuch movement being counteracted preferably by the tensile force F.2applied to the vibration tool 1 and/or possibly by the bone tissue incontact with the distal face of the anchor foot.

FIG. 9 shows the method in three consecutive phases (a) to (c). Phase(a) shows the device for carrying the method positioned in a pilot bore5.4 being provided in the bone tissue. The same as described above forthe other embodiments of the invention, the anchor 2 comprises an anchorfoot 22 suitable for being forced into hard tissue and a thermoplasticsleeve 23, wherein the thermoplastic sleeve 23 may comprise aflange-shaped proximal portion (anchor head 91) or the device furthercomprises a support element 80. The anchor foot 22 is fastened to thedistal end of the vibration tool 1 and the thermoplastic sleeve 23 sitsloosely on the proximal face of the anchor foot 22. Phase (b) shows theanchor after the forcing step in which the anchor is forced into thepilot bore 5.4 with the aid of a pushing force F.1 acting through thevibration tool 1 on the anchor foot 22, whereby the pilot bore 5.4 isenlarged regarding cross section and/or depth. As also shown in phase(b), in the anchoring step, the anchor head 91 or the support element 80is moved towards the anchor foot 22 with the aid of force F.3 which isapplied to the anchor head or the support element and which iscounteracted by the pulling force F.2 acting on vibration tool 1 and/orby the bone tissue in the area of the distal face of the anchor foot,wherein these forces are dimensioned such that the anchor foot remainssubstantially stationary relative to the bone tissue. Phase (c) showsthe fixated anchor after completion of the forcing step and theanchoring step and after removal of the vibration tool 1.

FIG. 10 shows an anchor 2 suitable for the method according to theinvention, the anchor comprising an anchor foot 22 which is equipped forbeing forced into hard tissue by punching through the hard tissue, thepunching process preferably being assisted with vibrational energycoupled into the anchor foot 22 as above described. The anchor foot asshown in FIG. 10 is suitable for all embodiments of the method accordingto the invention as described above. It is particularly suited for beingforced through a cortical bone layer 7 into tissue underneath thecortical bone layer which can be compacted to accommodate thepunched-out piece of the cortical bone layer (e.g. cancellous bonetissue 8) or into a cavity or soft tissue underneath the cortical bonelayer 7. FIG. 10 shows a method embodiment similar to the methodillustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the anchor foot 22 is shown positionedfor the punching step (phase (a)), between the punching step and theanchoring step (phase (b)) and after the anchoring step (phase (c)). Theanchor foot 22 according to FIG. 10 can be used in combination with anysystem of passages and/or grooves for retaining a suture and/or in aheaded anchor as described above.

The anchor foot 22 according to FIG. 10 comprises a distal end in theform of a hollow cylinder (circular or non-circular) having a thin walland a sharpened distal face, is mounted for the punching (forcing step)and for the anchoring step on the distal end of the vibration tool 1,wherein the thermoplastic sleeve 23 sits between the anchor foot 22 anda counter element 80. For the punching step, the anchor foot 22 ispositioned e.g. on the cortical bone layer 7 in the location in which asub-cortical fixation of the anchor foot 22 is to be achieved (phase(a)). With the aid of the tool 1 and vibration transmitted through thetool 1 into the anchor foot 22, the anchor foot 22 is forced into thebone tissue punching out a piece thereof and displacing it further intothe cancellous bone tissue 8 situated underneath the cortical bone layer7 and at the same time compacting the cancellous bone tissue 8 (phase(b)). The anchor foot 22 has reached a sufficient depth in the bonetissue, when the liquefaction location (e.g. the interface between thedistal face of the counter element 80 and the proximal face of thethermoplastic sleeve 23) has passed the cortical bone layer 7. As soonas the anchor has reached this final position, the force acting on thetool 1 is reversed (from pushing to pulling action) and while thethermoplastic sleeve 23 is at least partly liquefied, the anchor foot 22is pulled against the cortical bone layer, the liquefied sleeve materialanchoring the anchor foot 22 on the inside of the cortical bone layer 7(re-solidified material 40) or forming a body 44 which cannot pass theopening punched through the cortical bone layer.

The above described embodiments of the invention concern, in particular,suture anchors suitable for soft tissue attachment to hard tissue. Inall the described embodiments of methods for fixating such sutureanchors in hard tissue the sutures may be safeguarded against damage byheat dissipating from the material having thermoplastic properties whenliquefied, by being soaked with liquid (water or saline solution)preferably before being threaded through the suture anchor or a partthereof or before being positioned in the hard tissue opening andnecessarily before liquefaction of the material having thermoplasticproperties.

In the above description a plurality of embodiments of the invention aredescribed having specific features. One skilled in the art and havingknowledge of the above description will easily be able to adapt suitableones of these features for other ones of the embodiments and add them tothese other embodiments or use them for replacing features described forthese other embodiments. In the same way, one skilled in the art andknowing the above description will easily be able to make suitablecombinations of suitable ones of the illustrated and describedembodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A headed anchor equipped for fixating a soft tissue to bone, the anchor comprising: an anchor foot with a distal end being equipped for being forced into or through hard tissue, a tool with a distal end being connected or connectable to the proximal end of the anchor foot, and a thermoplastic sleeve comprising a material having thermoplastic properties, the material being configured to liquefy into liquefied material upon application of vibration energy from the tool during an anchoring step, wherein the thermoplastic sleeve includes a flange-shaped proximal portion constituting an anchor head; wherein the flange-shaped proximal portion comprises a distal clamping face that is adapted to clamp the soft tissue between the anchor head and the bone; wherein the anchor foot includes a proximal face that tapers to form a sharp edge that is adapted to a cross section of an axial channel that extends through the thermoplastic sleeve; wherein the sharp edge constitutes energy directors; and wherein the tapering proximal face displaces the liquefied material radially outward into the bone surrounding the anchor.
 2. The headed anchor according to claim 1, wherein the anchor head comprises distal protrusions at the flange-shaped proximal portion that are adapted for being pressed into the soft tissue in a fixed state of the headed anchor.
 3. The headed anchor according to claim 1, having recesses being arranged in the tapering proximal face of the anchor foot, which, during the anchoring step, can be filled with the liquefied material to connect the anchor foot to the thermoplastic sleeve in a positive-fit connection.
 4. The headed anchor according to claim 1, wherein the headed anchor comprises a system of passages and/or grooves and is configured to hold a loop of at least one suture.
 5. An anchor equipped for being anchored in hard tissue with the aid of in situ liquefaction of a material having thermoplastic properties, the anchor comprising the material having thermoplastic properties and comprising a hollow distal end portion being equipped for being forced into or through hard tissue, wherein the hollow distal end has a thin wall with a sharpened distal face; and wherein the anchor is equipped to be connectable to a tool by a connection, wherein the connection is capable of transmitting a compressive force as well as mechanical vibrations to the anchor, wherein the anchor comprises an anchor foot and a thermoplastic sleeve comprising the material having thermoplastic properties, the thermoplastic sleeve being adapted to sit on a proximal face of the anchor foot, and wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefied by a combined action of an axial compressive force and the mechanical vibration to yield liquefied material, whereby the liquefied material is laterally displaced, while an axial dimension of the anchor is simultaneously reduced.
 6. The anchor according to claim 5, wherein the hollow distal end portion of the anchor serves as a punching tool.
 7. The device according to claim 5, further comprising the tool.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the proximal face of the anchor foot and/or a distal face of the support element comprises structures serving as energy directors.
 9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the proximal face of the anchor foot and/or a distal face of the support element comprises undercut recesses.
 10. The anchor according to claim 5, further comprising a support element sitting on a proximal face of the thermoplastic sleeve.
 11. The device according to claim 5, further comprising the tool and a support element with the tool extending through the support element.
 12. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a vibration source, a proximal end of the tool being coupled or couplable to the vibration source.
 13. The device according to claim 5, wherein the distal end of the anchor foot is in the form of an open cylinder being circular or non-circular.
 14. The device according to claim 5, wherein the hard tissue comprises bone, wherein the anchor foot is equipped for being forced into the bone, thus punching out a piece of a cortical bone layer and displacing the piece further into underlying cancellous bone thereby compacting the cancellous bone.
 15. A surgical device comprising: an anchor comprising a material having thermoplastic properties for in situ liquefaction of the material and a tool, wherein the anchor comprises an anchor piece with a distal end portion being equipped to be forced into or through hard tissue, and wherein the tool has a distal end that is connected or connectable to the anchor piece via a direct connection, wherein the direct connection provides physical contact between the distal end of the tool and the anchor piece, and wherein the direct connection between the distal end of the tool and the anchor piece is capable of being disconnected and is adapted to transmit an axial compressive force as well as mechanical vibration from the tool to the anchor piece, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is adapted to be liquefied by combined action of the axial compressive force and the mechanical vibration, to yield liquefied material, whereby the liquefied material is laterally displaced while an axial dimension of the anchor is simultaneously reduced.
 16. The device according to claim 15, further comprising a vibration source, wherein a proximal end of the tool being coupled or couplable to the vibration source.
 17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the vibration source is capable of selectively producing two different vibration modes.
 18. The device according to claim 17, wherein a first one of the two different vibration modes is selected from the group consisting of amplitude modulated and pulsed.
 19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the anchor is a headed anchor adapted to fix a soft tissue to hard tissue, wherein the headed anchor comprises an anchor head with a proximal flange, wherein the flange comprises a distal clamping face that is adapted to clamp a soft tissue between the anchor head and the hard tissue.
 20. The device according to claim 18, wherein the anchor head comprises distal protrusions at the flange that are adapted for being pressed into the soft tissue in a fixed state of the headed anchor.
 21. The device according to claim 18, wherein the headed anchor comprises a system of passages and/or grooves, wherein the system is configured to hold a loop of at least one suture.
 22. The device according to claim 15, wherein the anchor is a suture anchor comprising a system of passages and/or grooves, wherein the system is configured to hold a loop of at least one suture.
 23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the system is constituted by at least one eyelet.
 24. The device according to claim 22, wherein the anchor comprises at least one axial suture groove for accommodation of the at least one suture. 